A Long Island native has been fired from the Carolina Panthers’ communications department following an “insensitive social media post” in the wake of the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a college campus in Utah, according to media reports.
Miller Place High School graduate Charlie Rock was reportedly dismissed Thursday from his communications coordinator role after purportedly posting on Instagram a message that read: “Why are y’all sad? Your man said it was worth it…” alongside an image of Kirk. Another post referenced the Wu-Tang Clan song “Protect Ya Neck.”
Rock’s post appeared to reference Kirk’s past remarks suggesting that some gun-related casualties were, in his view, “worth” it and unavoidable if you’re looking to preserve Second Amendment gun ownership rights.
Numerous X users tagged the Panthers on the social media platform with alleged screenshots of the post. The Charlotte Observer confirmed the firing, citing a source familiar with the team’s decision.
The Panthers said in a statement that the organization has “accordingly addressed it with the individual.”
The statement, posted at 10:01 a.m. Thursday on X, reads: “The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers. We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual.”
Rock of Sound Beach is the son of Tom Rock, a longtime reporter and columnist with Newsday who has covered the NFL for nearly 20 years. It’s unclear how long Charlie Rock, a 2018 graduate of Miller Place High School, has worked with the Panthers; his LinkedIn was seemingly taken down at some point on Thursday.
The Charlotte Observer reported that he served as an intern for the organization before recently being promoted to a staff position.
Charlie Rock could not be reached for comment. Greater Long Island reached out to Tom Rock via email but has not yet heard back from him.
Online reaction was swift
Reaction to Charlie Rock’s post was swift, with critics online calling it offensive and inappropriate in light of Kirk’s assassination Wednesday during a speaking event outside at Utah Valley University. Kirk, 31, was a key political ally of President Donald Trump, the founder of Turning Point USA, and a highly influential presence in conservative political circles.
We are asking for the public's help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
— FBI Salt Lake City (@FBISaltLakeCity) September 11, 2025
1-800-CALL-FBI
Digital media tips: https://t.co/K7maX81TjJ pic.twitter.com/ALuVkTXuDc
Top photos: Charlie Rock (LinkedIn) and Charlie Kirk (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File). Center: A makeshift memorial is set up at Turning Point USA headquarters after the shooting death at a Utah college on Wednesday, of Charlie Kirk, the co-founder and CEO of the organization, Thursday, Sept. 11, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin).
